Sight glass

ABSTRACT

A sight glass assembly can comprise a housing defining an inner housing surface, an outer housing surface, a first housing end, and an opposed second housing end, the inner housing surface defining a housing bore; an adapter defining an inner adapter surface, an outer adapter surface, a first adapter end coupled to the housing, and an opposed second adapter end, the inner adapter surface defining an adapter bore, the outer adapter surface defining a central portion disposed between the first adapter end and the second adapter end, the central portion defining a shoulder contacting the second housing end of the housing; and a transparent viewport positioned in the housing bore such that the interior of a pipe fitting is viewable through the housing bore, the transparent viewport, and the adapter bore.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/038,889, filed Jul. 18, 2018, which is hereby specificallyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD Field of Use

This disclosure relates to sight glasses. More specifically, thisdisclosure relates to sight glass assemblies that permit viewing of aninterior of a pipe fitting.

Related Art

When issues arise in a pipeline, such as a gas line and the like, it canbe helpful to see inside the pipeline. A sight glass can be coupled tothe pipeline, such as at a fitting mounted on the pipeline to allow auser to see the interior of the pipeline. Conventional sight glasseshave small viewing areas and can be difficult to attach to the fitting.For example, a different sized sight glass can be required for differentsized fittings. Conventional sight glasses can be mounted with flangesand are not customizable for the size of the bore of the fitting.Further, conventional sight glasses can have a rod assembly positionedto one side of the sight glass, making manipulation of the rod assemblywithin the fitting difficult to view.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

In one aspect, disclosed is a sight glass assembly to permit viewinginto an interior of a pipe fitting, the sight glass assembly comprisinga housing defining an inner housing surface, an outer housing surface, afirst housing end, and an opposed second housing end, the inner housingsurface defining a housing bore extending through the housing from thefirst housing end to the second housing end, an adapter defining aninner adapter surface, an outer adapter surface, a first adapter endcoupled to the housing, and an opposed second adapter end configured tocouple to the pipe fitting, the inner adapter surface defining anadapter bore extending through the adapter from the first adapter end tothe second adapter end, and a transparent viewport positioned in thehousing bore such that the interior of the pipe fitting is viewablethrough the housing bore, the viewport, and the adapter bore.

Also disclosed is a sight glass assembly configured to permit viewinginto an interior of a pipe fitting, the sight glass assembly comprisinga tubular housing defining an inner housing surface, an outer housingsurface, a first housing end, and an opposed second housing end, theinner housing surface defining a housing bore extending through thehousing from the first housing end to the second housing end, a tubularadapter defining an inner adapter surface, an outer adapter surface, afirst adapter end coupled to the housing, and an opposed second adapterend configured to be coupled to the pipe fitting, the inner adaptersurface defining an adapter bore extending through the adapter from thefirst adapter end to the second adapter end, a transparent viewportpositioned in the housing bore such that the interior of the pipefitting is viewable through the housing bore, the viewport, and theadapter bore, an annular retaining ring positioned between the viewportand the adapter and configured to securedly couple the viewport to thehousing, the annular retaining ring defining an inner ring surface, anouter ring surface, a first ring end, and an opposed second ring end,the outer ring surface being threaded from the first ring end to thesecond ring end and configured to matingly engage threads defined in theinner housing surface of the housing, and a stiffener positioned betweenthe first housing end and the viewport, the stiffener configured toprevent flexing of the viewport due to fluid pressure exerted on theviewport from fluid, such as natural gas or water, in the pipe fitting,the stiffener defining an inner stiffener surface, an outer stiffenersurface, a first stiffener end, and an opposed second stiffener end.

Also disclosed is a method of viewing an interior of a pipe fitting, themethod comprising providing a sight glass assembly comprising a housingdefining an inner housing surface, an outer housing surface, a firsthousing end, and an opposed second housing end, the inner housingsurface defining a housing bore extending through the housing from thefirst housing end to the second housing end, an adapter defining aninner adapter surface, an outer adapter surface, a first adapter endcoupled to the housing, and an opposed second adapter end configured tobe coupled to the pipe fitting, the inner adapter surface defining anadapter bore extending through the adapter from the first adapter end tothe second adapter end, a transparent viewport positioned in the housingbore, an annular retaining ring positioned between the viewport and theadapter and configured to securedly couple the viewport to the housing,the annular retaining ring defining an inner ring surface, an outer ringsurface, a first ring end, and an opposed second ring end, the outerring surface being threaded from the first ring end to the second ringend and configured to matingly engage threads defined in the innerhousing surface of the housing, an coupling the second adapter end ofthe adapter to the pipe fitting, and viewing the interior of the pipefitting through the housing bore, the viewport, and the adapter bore.

Disclosed is a sight glass assembly comprising a housing defining aninner housing surface, an outer housing surface, a first housing end,and an opposed second housing end, the inner housing surface defining ahousing bore; an adapter defining an inner adapter surface, an outeradapter surface, a first adapter end coupled to the housing, and anopposed second adapter end, the inner adapter surface defining anadapter bore, the outer adapter surface defining a central portiondisposed between the first adapter end and the second adapter end, thecentral portion defining a shoulder contacting the second housing end ofthe housing; and a transparent viewport positioned in the housing boresuch that the interior of a pipe fitting is viewable through the housingbore, the transparent viewport, and the adapter bore.

Also disclosed is a method of viewing an interior of a pipe fitting, themethod comprising providing a sight glass assembly comprising: a housingdefining a first housing end, an opposed second housing end, and ahousing bore; an adapter defining an outer adapter surface, a firstadapter end coupled to the housing, an opposed second adapter end, andan adapter bore, the outer adapter surface defining a shouldercontacting the second housing end of the housing, the first adapter enddisposed in the housing bore; and a transparent viewport positioned inthe housing bore such that the interior of a pipe fitting is viewablethrough the housing bore, the transparent viewport, and the adapterbore; coupling the second adapter end of the adapter to the pipefitting; and viewing the interior of the pipe fitting through thehousing bore, the transparent viewport, and the adapter bore

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may compriseadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. Thefeatures and advantages of such implementations may be realized andobtained by means of the systems, methods, and features particularlypointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations asset forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosureand together with the description, serve to explain various principlesof the disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a sight glass assembly comprisinga housing, a viewport, and an adapter in accordance with one aspect ofthe current disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the sight glass assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of another aspect of the sightglass assembly of FIG. 1, in which the sight glass assembly furthercomprises a stiffener.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sight glass assembly of FIG. 3showing the sight glass assembly coupled to a pipe fitting mounted on apipeline.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the sight glass assembly and pipefitting of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a sight glass assembly comprising ahousing, a viewport, and a retaining ring in accordance with anotheraspect of the current disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the sight glass assembly of FIG. 6 takenalong line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the sight glass assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the sight glass assembly of FIG.6.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the sight glass assembly of FIG. 6 takenalong line 7-7 of FIG. 6, showing a tool positioned in an access channeldefined in the sight glass assembly according to one aspect of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andtheir previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in their best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspectsdescribed herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of thepresent disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desiredbenefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some ofthe features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features.Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that manymodifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible andcan even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of thepresent disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided asillustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not inlimitation thereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to a quantity of one of a particular element cancomprise two or more such elements unless the context indicatesotherwise. In addition, any of the elements described herein can be afirst such element, a second such element, and so forth (e.g., a firstwidget and a second widget, even if only a “widget” is referenced).

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect comprises from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about” or “substantially,” itwill be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. Itwill be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges aresignificant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently ofthe other endpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, andthat the description comprises instances where said event orcircumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also comprises any combination of members of that list.

In one aspect, a sight glass and associated methods, systems, devices,and various apparatuses are disclosed herein. It would be understood byone of skill in the art that the disclosed sight glass is described inbut a few exemplary aspects among many. No particular terminology ordescription should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scopeof any claims issuing therefrom.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sight glass assembly 100 inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The sight glassassembly 100 can comprise a housing 102, a viewport 104, and an adapter106. With reference to FIG. 2, a housing bore 108 can be defined in thehousing 102 and an adapter bore 110 can be defined in the adapter 106.The viewport 104 can be positioned in the housing bore 108 such that,when the housing 102 is coupled to the adapter 106 and the adapter 106is coupled to a pipe fitting 400, such as a tee, a valve and the like(shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), a user can see through the viewport 104 intothe fitting 400.

The housing 102 can define an inner housing surface 112 and an outerhousing surface 114. The housing 102 can further define a first housingend 116 and a second housing end 118. The second housing end 118 can bedisposed opposite and distal from the first housing end 116. The innerhousing surface 112 can define the housing bore 108 extending throughthe housing 102 from the first housing end 116 to the second housing end118. The housing bore 108 can define a first housing bore opening 120 atthe first housing end 116 and a second housing bore opening 122 at thesecond housing end 118.

In some aspects, the housing 102 can define a substantially tubularshape, and the housing bore 108 can extend along a housing longitudinalaxis 124. More specifically, in some aspects, an inner diameter of thehousing bore 108 can be constant from the first housing end 116 to thesecond housing end 118. In other aspects, the inner diameter of thehousing bore 108 can vary from the first housing end 116 to the secondhousing end 118. For example and without limitation, the inner diameterof the housing bore 108 can be greater between the first housing end 116and the second housing end 118 compared to the inner diameter at thefirst housing end 116 or the second housing end 118. In another aspect,an inner diameter of the first housing bore opening 120 and the secondhousing bore opening 122 can be substantially the same as the innerdiameter of the housing bore 108. Alternatively, in other aspects, theinner diameter of at least one of the first housing bore opening 120 andthe second housing bore opening 122 can be less than the inner diameterof the housing bore 108. For example, the inner diameter of the firsthousing bore opening 120 can be less than the inner diameter of thehousing bore 108 such that a shoulder 126 can be formed in the housing102 at the first housing end 116.

At least a portion of the inner housing surface 112 of the housing 102can be threaded. In one aspect, the inner housing surface 112 can bethreaded from the second housing end 118 towards the first housing end116 a predetermined threaded distance. In another aspect, at least aportion of the inner housing surface 112 can be unthreaded (i.e.,smooth). For example, an unthreaded portion of the inner housing surface112 can extend from the first housing end 116 towards the second housingend 118 a predetermined unthreaded distance. The predeterminedunthreaded distance can be greater than or substantially equal to athickness 105 of the viewport 104, described more fully below.

The outer housing surface 114 of the housing 102 can be substantiallycylindrical in shape. In one aspect, at least one flat 128 can bedefined in the outer housing surface 114, the at least one flat 128configured such that a wrench or other tool can grip the outer housingsurface 114.

The adapter 106 can define an inner adapter surface 130 and an outeradapter surface 132. The adapter 106 can further define a first adapterend 134 and a second adapter end 136. The second adapter end 136 can bedisposed opposite and distal from the first adapter end 134. The inneradapter surface 130 can define the adapter bore 110 extending throughthe adapter 106 from the first adapter end 134 to the second adapter end136. The adapter bore 110 can define a first adapter bore opening 138 atthe first adapter end 134 and a second adapter bore opening 140 at thesecond adapter end 136.

In some aspects, the adapter 106 can define a substantially tubularshape, and the adapter bore 110 can extend along an adapter longitudinalaxis 142. More specifically, in some aspects, an inner diameter of theadapter bore 110 can be constant from the first adapter end 134 to thesecond adapter end 136. In other aspects, the inner diameter of theadapter bore 110 can vary from the first adapter end 134 to the secondadapter end 136. For example and without limitation, the inner diameterof the adapter bore 110 can be greater between the first adapter end 134and the second adapter end 136 compared to the inner diameter at thefirst adapter end 134 or the second adapter end 136. In another aspect,an inner diameter of the first adapter bore opening 138 and the secondadapter bore opening 140 can be substantially the same as the innerdiameter of the adapter bore 110. Alternatively, in other aspects, theinner diameter of at least one of the first adapter bore opening 138 andthe second adapter bore opening 140 can be less than the inner diameterof the adapter bore 110. In yet another aspect, the inner diameter ofthe adapter bore 110 can be substantially the same as the inner diameterof the housing bore 108. Alternatively, in other aspects, the innerdiameter of the adapter bore 110 can be less than or greater than theinner diameter of the housing bore 108.

At least a portion of the inner adapter surface 130 of the adapter 106can be threaded. Alternatively, the inner adapter surface 130 can beunthreaded (i.e., smooth) in other aspects. At least a portion of theouter adapter surface 132 can be threaded. In one aspect, the outeradapter surface 132 can be threaded to define a first threaded end 144extending from the first adapter end 134 towards the second adapter end136 a first predetermined threaded distance. In another aspect, theouter adapter surface 132 can be threaded to define a second threadedend 146 extending from the second adapter end 136 towards the firstadapter end 134 a second predetermined threaded distance. In yet anotheraspect, an unthreaded central portion 148 of the adapter 106 can bedefined between the first threaded end 144 and the second threaded end146. In this aspect, the central portion 148 can comprise a distal end150 and an opposed proximal end 152.

In one aspect, the first threaded end 144 of the adapter 106 can besized and shaped to matingly engage the threads defined in the innerhousing surface 112 of the housing 102. That is, the first threaded end144 of the adapter 106 can be configured to be securedly coupled to thehousing 102 by screwing the housing 102 onto the first threaded end 144of the adapter 106 such that at least a portion of the first threadedend 144 extends through the second housing bore opening 122 of thehousing 102 and into the housing bore 108. With the housing 102securedly coupled to the adapter 106, the second housing end 118 of thehousing 102 can be in contact with or adjacent to the distal end 150 ofthe central portion 148 of the adapter 106.

In one aspect, the second threaded end 146 of the adapter 106 can besized and shaped to matingly engage threads defined in an inner surface(not shown) of a fitting 400 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). That is, thesecond threaded end 146 of the adapter 106 can be configured to besecuredly coupled to the fitting 400 by screwing the adapter 106 ontothe fitting 400 such that at least a portion of the second threaded end146 extends through a fitting opening (not shown) and into a fittingbore (not shown). With the adapter 106 securedly coupled to the fitting400 (and with the fitting 400 coupled to a pipeline 420 with a teebranch 422), the proximal end 152 of the central portion 148 of theadapter 106 can be in contact with or adjacent to an outer edge 402 ofthe fitting 400, as shown in FIG. 5. As fittings 400 can vary in shapeand size, it is contemplated that a plurality of adapters 106 can beprovided, wherein each adapter 106 has a second threaded end 146 sizedand shaped to matingly engage a different sized fitting 400.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the outer adapter surface 132 of theadapter 106 can be substantially cylindrical in shape. In one aspect, atleast the central portion 148 of the adapter 106 can have an outerdiameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the housing 102.Alternatively, in other aspects, at least the central portion 148 of theadapter 106 can have an outer diameter less than or greater than anouter diameter of the housing 102. In another aspect, at least one flat154 can be defined in the outer adapter surface 132 of the centralportion 148, the at least one flat 154 configured such that a wrench orother tool can grip the outer adapter surface 132. In yet anotheraspect, a notch 156 can be defined in the outer adapter surface 132 ofthe central portion 148 of the adapter 106, the notch 156 configured toprovide an attachment or mounting point to the adapter 106 for a valve(not shown), such as a pressure relief valve and the like. In thisaspect, a channel 158 can extend from the notch 156 into the adapterbore 110 so that the notch 156 can be in fluid communication with theadapter bore 110.

The viewport 104 can be formed from a transparent material such that auser can see from a first side 160 of the viewport to a second side 162of the viewport 104. In one aspect, the viewport 104 can be formed from,for example and without limitation, a transparent polycarbonate, orother transparent polymeric materials or glass. The viewport 104 can besubstantially cylindrical in shape having a diameter slightly less thanthe inner diameter of the housing bore 108. For example, the diameter ofthe viewport 104 can be less than the inner diameter of the housing bore108 and greater than the inner diameter of the first housing boreopening 120 such that the viewport 104 can be positioned in the housingbore 108 of the housing 102 but cannot pass through the first housingbore opening 120. In one aspect, the diameter of the viewport 104 can beabout two inches. In other aspects, the diameter of the viewport 104 canbe about three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven,twelve, or more than about twelve inches.

In one aspect and as illustrated in FIG. 3, a viewport access bore 204can be defined in the viewport 104 and can extend along a viewportlongitudinal axis 206 from the first side 160 to the second side 162(shown in FIG. 2) of the viewport 104. More specifically, in someaspects, an inner diameter of the viewport access bore 204 can beconstant from the first side 160 to the second side 162 of the viewport104. In other aspects, the diameter of the viewport access bore 204 canvary from the first side 160 to the second side 162. In another aspect,the viewport access bore 204 can be substantially centered at thegeometric center of the viewport 104. That is, the geometric center ofthe viewport 104 and the geometric center of the viewport access bore204 can be substantially aligned. Optionally, in other aspects, theviewport access bore 204 can be spaced from the geometric center of theviewport 104 a predetermined distance.

To assemble the sight glass assembly 100 according to one aspect, theviewport 104 can be positioned in the housing bore 108 of the housing102. A first seal (not shown) such as an O-ring, a gasket and the likecan be positioned between the first side 160 of the viewport 104 and theshoulder 126 of the housing 102 so that when the first side 160 of theviewport 104 is urged toward the shoulder 126, a fluid-tight seal can beformed between the viewport 104 and the housing 102. The housing 102 canbe threaded onto the first threaded end 144 of the adapter 106 with theviewport 104 positioned between the housing 102 and the adapter 106. Asecond seal (not shown) such as an O-ring, a gasket and the like can bepositioned between the second side 162 of the viewport 104 and the firstadapter end 134 so that when the first adapter end 134 is urged towardthe second side 162 of the viewport 104, a fluid-tight seal can beformed between the viewport 104 and the adapter 106. In one aspect, thefirst threaded end 144 of the adapter can extend through the secondhousing bore opening 122, through a portion of the housing bore 108 andinto contact with the viewport 104. The housing 102 can be screwed ontothe adapter 106 in this manner until the housing 102 is securedlycoupled to the adapter 106. In one aspect, with the housing 102securedly coupled to the adapter 106, the second housing end 118 of thehousing 102 can be in contact with or adjacent to the distal end 150 ofthe central portion 148 of the adapter 106. In another aspect, with thehousing 102 securedly coupled to the adapter 106, the first adapter end134 can compress the first seal positioned between the housing 102 andthe viewport 104 and the second seal positioned between the viewport 104and the adapter 106 so that a fluid-tight seal is formed between thehousing 102, the viewport 104, and the adapter 106.

In use, the sight glass assembly 100 can be coupled to a fitting 400 byscrewing the adapter 106 onto the fitting 400 such that at least aportion of the second threaded end 146 extends through a fitting openingand into a fitting bore. A user can then see through the viewport 104and into the fitting 400. By increasing the diameter of the viewport 104relative to previous viewports, the ability to see through the viewport104 can be improved.

In one aspect, the sight glass assembly 100 can further comprise aretaining ring 164, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The retaining ring 164can be annular in shape and can define an inner ring surface 166 and anouter ring surface 168. The retaining ring 164 can further define afirst ring end 170 and a second ring end 172. The second ring end 172can be disposed opposite and distal from the first ring end 170. In oneaspect, a distance 171 between the first ring end 170 and the secondring end 172 can be less than the predetermined threaded distance of theinner housing surface 112 of the housing 102. In this aspect, with theretaining ring 164 positioned in the housing 102 as described more fullybelow, the threads of the inner housing surface 112 can extend beyondthe retaining ring 164. The inner ring surface 166 can define a ringbore 174 extending through the retaining ring 164 from the first ringend 170 to the second ring end 172.

The inner ring surface 166 of the retaining ring 164 can be smooth andcylindrical as shown. In one aspect, an inner diameter of ring bore 174can be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the adapter bore110. Alternatively, in other aspects, the inner diameter of the ringbore 174 can be less than or greater than the inner diameter of theadapter bore 110. In yet another aspect, the inner diameter of the ringbore 174 can be substantially the same as the inner diameter of thehousing bore 108. Alternatively, in other aspects, the inner diameter ofthe ring bore 174 can be less than or greater than the inner diameter ofthe housing bore 108.

The outer ring surface 168 of the retaining ring 164 can be threaded orunthreaded (i.e., smooth). In one aspect, at least a portion of theouter ring surface 168 can be threaded. For example, the outer ringsurface 168 can be threaded from the first ring end 170 to the secondring end 172. In one aspect, the threaded outer ring surface 168 of theretaining ring 164 can be sized and shaped to matingly engage thethreads defined in the inner housing surface 112 of the housing 102.That is, the outer ring surface 168 of the retaining ring 164 can beconfigured to be securedly coupled to the housing 102 by screwing theretaining ring 164 onto the threads defined in the inner housing surface112. For example, the retaining ring 164 can be threaded through thesecond housing bore opening 122 of the housing 102 and into the housingbore 108. In another aspect, at least a portion of the outer ringsurface 168 can be unthreaded. For example, an unthreaded portion of theouter ring surface 168 can extend from the first ring end 170 to thesecond ring end 172.

In one aspect, a plurality of tool holes 176 can be defined in the firstring end 170 and/or the second ring end 172 of the retaining ring 164.In this aspect, the tool holes can be sized and configured so that atool, such as a spanner wrench and the like, can be positioned in atleast one of the tool holes 176 to rotate the retaining ring 164relative to the housing 102.

To assemble the sight glass assembly 100 comprising the retaining ring164, the viewport 104 can be positioned in the housing bore 108 of thehousing 102. The first seal (not shown) such as an O-ring, a gasket andthe like can be positioned between the first side 160 of the viewport104 and the shoulder 126 of the housing 102 so that when the first side160 of the viewport 104 is urged toward the shoulder 126, a fluid-tightseal can be formed between the viewport 104 and the housing 102. Theretaining ring 164 can be threaded onto the threads defined in the innerhousing surface 112 by rotating the retaining ring 164 with a tool, suchas a spanner wrench. In this aspect, the viewport 104 can be positionedbetween the housing 102 and the retaining ring 164. The second seal (notshown) such as an O-ring, a gasket and the like can be positionedbetween the second side 162 of the viewport 104 and the first ring end170 of the retaining ring 164 so that when the retaining ring 164 isurged toward the second side 162 of the viewport 104, a fluid-tight sealcan be formed between the viewport 104 and the retaining ring 164. Theretaining ring 164 can be screwed into the housing bore 108 in thismanner until the retaining ring 164 is securedly coupled to the housing102 to form an end cap 178 comprising the housing 102, the viewport 104and the retaining ring 164. In one aspect, with the retaining ring 164securedly coupled to the housing 102, the retaining ring 164 cancompress the first seal positioned between the housing 102 and theviewport 104, and the second seal positioned between the viewport 104and the retaining ring 164 so that a fluid-tight seal is formed betweenthe housing 102, the viewport 104 and the retaining ring 164.

The end cap 178 can be threaded onto the first threaded end 144 of theadapter 106 with the viewport 104 and the retaining ring 164 positionedbetween the housing 102 and the adapter 106. A third seal (not shown)such as an O-ring, a gasket and the like can be positioned between thesecond ring end 172 of the retaining ring 164 and the first adapter end134 so that when the first adapter end 134 is urged toward the secondring end 172, a fluid-tight seal can be formed between the retainingring 164 and the adapter 106. In one aspect, the first threaded end 144of the adapter can extend through the second housing bore opening 122,through a portion of the housing bore 108 and into contact with theretaining ring 164. The end cap 178 can be screwed onto the adapter 106in this manner until the end cap 178 is securedly coupled to the adapter106. In one aspect, with the end cap 178 securedly coupled to theadapter 106, the second housing end 118 of the housing 102 can be incontact with or adjacent to the distal end 150 of the central portion148 of the adapter 106. In another aspect, with the end cap 178securedly coupled to the adapter 106, the first adapter end 134 cancompress the third seal positioned between the retaining ring 164 andthe adapter 106 so that a fluid-tight seal is formed between the end cap178 and the adapter 106. In some aspects, the third seal may not bepresent.

In use, the sight glass assembly 100 can be coupled to a fitting 400 byscrewing or bolting the adapter 106 onto the fitting 400 such that atleast a portion of the second threaded end 146 extends through thefitting opening and into the fitting bore. A user can then see throughthe viewport 104 and into the fitting 400. The end cap 178 can beremoved from the adapter 106 as an integrated unit, without the viewport104 falling out of the housing 102, due to the retaining ring 164holding the viewport 104 inside the housing 102. By increasing thediameter of the viewport 104 relative to previous viewports, the abilityto see through the viewport 140 can be improved.

In one aspect, the sight glass assembly 100 can further comprise astiffener 180 positioned between the housing 102 and the viewport 104 asillustrated in FIG. 3. In this aspect, the stiffener 180 can be formedfrom a rigid material and configured to prevent or reduce flexing of theviewport 104. The stiffener 180 can be annular in shape and can definean inner stiffener surface 182 and an outer stiffener surface 184. Thestiffener 180 can further define a first stiffener end 186 and a secondstiffener end 188 disposed opposite and distal from the first stiffenerend 186.

The stiffener 180 can comprise a central hub 190 positioned inside theinner stiffener surface 182 and can be coupled to or formedmonolithically with the inner stiffener surface 182 by a plurality ofstiffener spokes 192 extending from the central hub 190. In one aspect,the central hub 190 can extend away the first stiffener end 186 to athird stiffener end 194 a predetermined distance from the firststiffener end 186. There can be, for example and without limitation, onetwo, three, or more stiffener spokes 192. In one aspect, the stiffenerspokes 192 can be spaced equidistantly relative to each other around theinner stiffener surface 182. Alternatively, at least one stiffener spoke192 need not be spaced equidistantly relative to another stiffener spoke192 around the inner stiffener surface 182. In another aspect, thedistance between an outer edge 196 of any two stiffener spokes 192 canbe less than a diameter of the outer stiffener surface 184.

In one aspect, a stiffener access port 198 can be defined in and extendsthrough the stiffener 180. For example, the stiffener access port 198can extend along a stiffener longitudinal axis 200 from the thirdstiffener end 194 to the second stiffener end 188. More specifically, insome aspects, an inner diameter of the stiffener access port 198 can beconstant from the third stiffener end 194 to the second stiffener end188. In other aspects, the inner diameter of the stiffener access port198 can vary from the third stiffener end 194 to the second stiffenerend 188. In another aspect, the stiffener access port 198 can besubstantially centered at the geometric center of the central hub 190and/or the outer stiffener surface 184. That is, the geometric center ofthe stiffener access port 198 and the geometric center of the outerstiffener surface 184 can be substantially aligned. Optionally, in otheraspects, the stiffener access port 198 can be spaced from the geometriccenter of the central hub 190 and/or the outer stiffener surface 184 apredetermined distance. In another aspect, at least a portion of thestiffener access port 198 can be threaded.

The sight glass assembly 100 can further comprise a plug 202(illustrated in FIGS. 7-9) sized and configured to be positioned in thestiffener access port 198 and/or the viewport access bore 204. In oneaspect, the plug 202 can be configured to seal the stiffener access port198 and/or the viewport access bore 204 of the viewport 104 to preventfluid from exiting the sight glass assembly 100 through the stiffeneraccess port 198 and/or the viewport access bore 204. In another aspect,the plug 202 can define an access channel 208 (shown in FIG. 9)extending through the plug 202 so that a tool 500 (shown in FIG. 10) canbe inserted through the plug 202 and into the fitting 400. In yetanother aspect, at least a portion of an outer surface 212 of the plug202 can be threaded to engage complementary threads defined in thestiffener access port 198 and/or a locknut 210 (shown in FIG. 7).

In one aspect, the tool 500 can be an elongate tool 500 sized andconfigured to be inserted through the access channel 208 extendingthrough the plug 202. The tool 500 is typically mounted in the plug 202on a rotatable ball that is sealed with an O-ring to prevent leakage.The O-ring seal can be configured to seal the tool 500 and the plug 202to prevent fluid from exiting the sight glass assembly 100 between thetool 500 and the plug 202. The tool 500 and plug 202 are thus typicallyinstalled in sight glass assembly 100 prior to installation of the sightglass assembly 100 on the fitting 400 and prior to fluid being allowedto flow through the fitting. The tool 500 can be any device capable ofbeing inserted through the access channel 208. For example, the tool 500can be a hook, brush, magnet and the like as desired to access theinterior of the pipe fitting 400 for inspection, cleaning and the like.

To assemble the sight glass assembly 100 comprising the stiffener 180,the stiffener 180 can be positioned in the housing bore 108 of thehousing 102 such that at least a portion of the central hub 190 extendsthrough the first housing bore opening 120. For example, the stiffener180 can be positioned in the housing bore 108 such that the thirdstiffener end 194 is inserted through the first housing bore opening 120and the first stiffener end 186 contacts or engages the shoulder 126 ofthe housing 102. The viewport 104 can be positioned in the housing bore108 of the housing 102 and the first side 160 of the viewport 104 can bepositioned in contact with or adjacent to the second stiffener end 188of the stiffener 180. Optionally, the retaining ring 164 can be threadedonto the threads defined in the inner housing surface 112 by rotatingthe retaining ring 164 with a tool, such as a spanner wrench. In thisaspect, the viewport 104 can be positioned between the stiffener 180 andthe retaining ring 164. The retaining ring 164 can be screwed into thehousing bore 108 in this manner until the retaining ring 164 issecuredly coupled to the housing 102 to form an end cap 178 comprisingthe housing 102, the stiffener 180, the viewport 104, and the retainingring 164. In one aspect, with the retaining ring 164 securedly coupledto the housing 102, the retaining ring 164 can compress the seals (notshown) positioned between the housing 102, the stiffener 180, theviewport 104, and/or the retaining ring 164.

If a viewport access bore 204 is defined in the viewport 104, the plug202 can be positioned in the stiffener access port 198 and the viewportaccess bore 204 to prevent fluid from exiting the fitting 400. Asillustrated in FIG. 7, a head of the plug 202 can be positioned incontact with or adjacent to the second side 162 of the viewport 104 anda body of the plug 202 can extend through the viewport access bore 204and at least a portion of the stiffener 180. By positioning the head ofthe plug 202 adjacent the second side 162 of the viewport 104, fluidpressure exerted onto the plug 202 through the fitting 400 can betransferred from the head of the plug 202 to the viewport 104 and thestiffener 180 rather than threads of the plug 202.

Referring to FIG. 2, the end cap 178 can be threaded onto the firstthreaded end 144 of the adapter 106. In one aspect, the first threadedend 144 of the adapter 106 can extend through the second housing boreopening 122, through a portion of the housing bore 108 and into contactwith the retaining ring 164. The end cap 178 can be screwed onto theadapter 106 in this manner until the end cap 178 is securedly coupled tothe adapter 106. In one aspect, with the end cap 178 securedly coupledto the adapter 106, the second housing end 118 of the housing 102 can bein contact with or adjacent to the distal end 150 of the central portion148 of the adapter 106. In another aspect, with the end cap 178securedly coupled to the adapter 106, the first adapter end 134 cancompress a seal positioned between the retaining ring 164 and theadapter 106 so that a fluid-tight seal is formed between the end cap 178and the adapter 106.

In use, the sight glass assembly 100 can be coupled to a fitting 400 byscrewing or bolting the adapter 106 onto the fitting 400 such that atleast a portion of the second threaded end 146 extends through a fittingopening and into the fitting bore. A user can then see through theviewport 104 and into the fitting 400. The end cap 178 can be removedfrom the adapter 106 as an integrated unit, without the viewport 104falling out of the housing 102. The plug 202 can be removed to allowaccess into the fitting 400. In one aspect, if the plug 202 defines anaccess channel 208, with the sight glass assembly coupled to a fitting400, a tool 500 (illustrated in FIG. 10) such as a hook, brush, magnet,and the like can be inserted through the access channel 208 and into thefitting 400. By positioning the plug 202 at substantially the geometriccenter of the viewport 104 and increasing the diameter of the viewport104 over previous viewports, manipulation of the tool 500 inside thefitting 400 can easily be visible through the viewport 104, which canshow all sides of the tool 500. Further, the centering of the tool 500relative to the viewport 104 allows a light such as a flashlight to beeasily used to view the tool 500 through the viewport 104 whilesimultaneously looking through the viewport 104.

With reference now to FIGS. 6-9, a sight glass assembly 300 inaccordance with one aspect of the present disclosure is provided. Thesight glass assembly 300 can comprise the housing 102, the viewport 104,and the retaining ring 164 as previously described. In this aspect,however, the housing 102 can comprise a flange 302 that is configured tocouple directly to the fitting 400, such as a gate valve and the like,or to the adapter 106. That is, in this aspect, the sight glass assembly300 need not comprise an adapter 106 because the housing 102 can becoupled directly to the fitting 400. In another aspect, the sight glassassembly 300 can further comprise the stiffener 180 as previouslydescribed. Optionally, however the sight glass assembly 300 need notcomprise the stiffener 180.

To assemble the sight glass assembly 300 of FIGS. 6-9, the viewport 104can be positioned in the housing bore 108 of the housing 102. Theretaining ring 164 can be threaded onto the threads defined in the innerhousing surface 112 by rotating the retaining ring 164 with a tool, suchas a spanner wrench, with the viewport 104 positioned between thehousing 102 and the retaining ring 164. The retaining ring 164 can bescrewed into the housing bore 108 in this manner until the retainingring 164 is securedly coupled to the housing 102 to form the sight glassassembly 300. In one aspect, with the retaining ring 164 securedlycoupled to the housing 102, the retaining ring 164 can compress the sealpositioned between the housing 102 and the viewport 104, and the sealpositioned between the viewport 104 and the retaining ring 164 so that afluid-tight seal is formed between the housing 102, the viewport 104,and the retaining ring 164. In one aspect, with the retaining ring 164securedly coupled to the housing 102, the retaining ring 164 cancompress seals 306 positioned between the housing 102, the viewport 104,and/or the retaining ring 164.

If the sight glass assembly 330 comprises the stiffener 180, thestiffener 180 can be positioned in the housing bore 108 of the housing102 so that the stiffener 180 is positioned between the shoulder 126 ofthe housing 102 and the first side 160 of the viewport 104. Theretaining ring 164 can be threaded onto the threads defined in the innerhousing surface 112 with the viewport 104 positioned between thestiffener 180 and the retaining ring 164. Seals 306 can be positionedbetween the housing 102, the stiffener 180, the viewport 104, and/or theretaining ring 164 to prevent the sight glass assembly 300 from leakingfluid.

The sight glass assembly 300 can be positioned over the opening in thefitting 400, and bolted directly to the fitting 400 by aligning boltholes 304 of the flange 302 of the housing 102 with bolt holes (notshown) of the fitting 400. A user can then see through the viewport 104and into the fitting 400. The sight glass assembly 300 can be removedfrom the fitting 400 as an integrated unit, without the viewport 104falling out of the housing 102. The plug 202 can be removed to allowaccess into the fitting 400. If the plug 202 defines an access channel208, a tool 500, such as a hook, brush, magnet and the like, can beinserted through the access channel 208 and into the fitting 400. Bypositioning the plug 202 at substantially the geometric center of theviewport 104, manipulation of the tool 500 inside the fitting 400 caneasily be visible through the viewport 104. Further, the centering ofthe tool 500 relative to the viewport 104 allows a light such as aflashlight to be easily used to view the tool 500 through the viewport104.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily comprise logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

It should be emphasized that the above-described aspects are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which comprise oneor more executable instructions for implementing specific logicalfunctions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations areincluded in which functions may not be included or executed at all, maybe executed out of order from that shown or discussed, includingsubstantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on thefunctionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonablyskilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described aspect(s) withoutdeparting substantially from the spirit and principles of the presentdisclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended tocover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements,features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thepresent disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects orcombinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by thepresent disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A sight glass assembly to permit viewinginto an interior of a pipe fitting, the sight glass assembly comprising:a housing defining an inner housing surface, an outer housing surface, afirst housing end, and an opposed second housing end, the inner housingsurface defining a housing bore; an adapter defining an inner adaptersurface, an outer adapter surface, a first adapter end coupled to thehousing, and an opposed second adapter end, the inner adapter surfacedefining an adapter bore, the outer adapter surface defining a centralportion disposed between the first adapter end and the second adapterend, the central portion defining a shoulder contacting the secondhousing end of the housing; and a transparent viewport positioned in thehousing bore such that the interior of a pipe fitting is viewablethrough the housing bore, the transparent viewport, and the adapterbore.
 2. The sight glass assembly of claim 1, wherein the adapterfurther defines a first threaded end extending substantially from thefirst adapter end to a the central portion, the first threaded endconfigured to engage a threaded portion of housing.
 3. The sight glassassembly of claim 2, wherein the outer adapter surface defines the firstthreaded end of the adapter, and the inner housing surface defines thethreaded portion of the housing extending from the second housing endtoward the first housing end.
 4. The sight glass assembly of claim 2,wherein the shoulder extends radially inward to the first threaded endat a distal end of the central portion.
 5. The sight glass assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the adapter further defines a second threaded endextending substantially from the second adapter end to the centralportion and configured to threadably engage the pipe fitting.
 6. Thesight glass assembly of claim 5, wherein the central portion defines asecond shoulder extending radially inward to the second threaded end ata proximal end of the central portion.
 7. The sight glass assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the outer adapter surface further defines asubstantially planar flat.
 8. The sight glass assembly of claim 7,wherein the substantially planar flat is defined in the central portion.9. The sight glass assembly of claim 8, wherein: the central portiondefines a proximal end and a distal end; the shoulder is defined at thedistal end; and the substantially planar flat extends from the proximalend of the central portion toward the distal end of the central portion,the substantially planar flat terminating before the distal end.
 10. Thesight glass assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer adapter surfacefurther defines a notch configured to provide an attachment point to theadapter for a valve.
 11. The sight glass assembly of claim 10, whereinthe notch is defined in the central portion.
 12. The sight glassassembly of claim 11, wherein: The central portion defines a proximalend and a distal end; The shoulder is defined at the distal end; and thenotch extends from the proximal end of the central portion toward distalend of the central portion.
 13. The sight glass assembly of claim 10,wherein the adapter further defines a channel extending from the notchto the adapter bore, the notch being in fluid communication with theadapter bore.
 14. The sight glass assembly of claim 1, wherein thehousing bore defines a first housing bore opening at the first housingend and a second housing bore opening at the second housing end, andwherein an inner diameter of the first housing bore opening is less thanan inner diameter of the housing bore such that a housing shoulder isformed at the first housing end, the transparent viewport orientedbetween the housing shoulder and the first adapter end of the adapter.15. The sight glass assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer housingsurface further defines a substantially planar flat extending from thefirst housing end towards the second housing end.
 16. A method ofviewing an interior of a pipe fitting, the method comprising: providinga sight glass assembly comprising: a housing defining a first housingend, an opposed second housing end, and a housing bore; an adapterdefining an outer adapter surface, a first adapter end coupled to thehousing, an opposed second adapter end, and an adapter bore, the outeradapter surface defining a shoulder contacting the second housing end ofthe housing, the first adapter end disposed in the housing bore; and atransparent viewport positioned in the housing bore such that theinterior of a pipe fitting is viewable through the housing bore, thetransparent viewport, and the adapter bore; coupling the second adapterend of the adapter to the pipe fitting; and viewing the interior of thepipe fitting through the housing bore, the transparent viewport, and theadapter bore.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the outer adaptersurface defines a first threaded end extending from the first adapterend towards the second adapter end, the first threaded end engaging athreaded portion of the housing, the threaded portion of the housingdisposed in the housing bore.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein theouter adapter surface defines a second threaded end extending from thesecond adapter end towards the first adapter end, and wherein couplingthe second adapter end of the adapter to the pipe fitting comprisesengaging the second threaded end with an internal threaded portion ofthe pipe fitting and rotating the sight glass assembly relative to thepipe fitting.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the outer adaptersurface defines a central portion between the first threaded end and thesecond threaded end, the central portion being unthreaded, the centralportion defining the shoulder extending radially inward to the firstthreaded end at a distal end of the central portion.
 20. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the adapter defines a substantially planar flat, andwherein coupling the second adapter end of the adapter to the pipefitting comprises engaging the substantially planar flat with a tool androtating the sight glass assembly relative to the pipe fitting with thetool.